It doesn’t get much bigger than this! Lion Fight superstar Ognjen Topic, ranked US no. 1 at both super featherweight and lightweight, will face the UK’s Paul Barber, currently (3-0) in MTGP, for the inaugural MTGP world lightweight title.

Topic is a former Lion Fight champion, WBC and WKA North American Champion, most recently winning the IKF world title in Mexico. Although he is coming off a recent loss to Thailand’s Tum Sityodtong in Madison Square Garden, New York, he will be eager to add the MTGP title to his illustrious record.

Paul Barber’s aggressive approach and calculated attacks have thrilled audiences in the past 18 months. All three of his victories under the MTGP banner have come via KO, showcasing his devastating shot selection and eye for a finish. He made light work of Spain’s Alex Dass at the last MTGP event in April, winning via first-round KO by elbow.

This promises to be a titanic battle with both fighter’s eager to become the first-ever MTGP lightweight champion. Can Topic add another title to his collection or will Barber rise-up to the top of the MTGP roster and cause an upset?

This is probably the most anticipated fight on the card from an Irish perspective. Two of Dublin’s most talented fighters competing to be crowned the true ‘King of Dublin’.

Stephen Meleady, formerly of Origins gym (Bridgestone), now fighting out of top UK gym, Bad Company, returns home to show Irish fans what they’ve been missing. An ISKA world champion, he’s shared the ring with some of the greatest Thai boxers from around the world, appearing on Lion Fights USA, Yokkao and CMT Australia.

In comparison, Lionheart’s Craig Coakley, may not be as experienced but he is currently on a 14-fight win streak; finishing 13 inside the distance. Most recently, he dispatched of Italian champion Eugenio Donato via third-round TKO at Wolf of the Ring in Milan, Italy. Coakley has continued to prove himself on the international stage in the past 12 months and is eager to show what he can do against the very best of Thai.

Another all-Dublin domestic battle as ISKA 70kg champion Aaron Browne defends his title against Origin’s Scotty John, who’s performances have seen him rise up and become a genuine title challenger.

Browne benefitted from a move to Lionheart gym, and showcased his new-found confidence with a TKO victory over Siam Warriors Martin Horgan, to lift the Cage Kings 70kg title in February. He’s been one of the top performers in Ireland over the past two years, winning titles across Thai and K1, while running thorough every opponent he’s faced.

Scotty John climbed into title contention with a string of dominant performances in the last year. While Browne lifted the 70kg Cage Kings title, John collected the 67kg title on the same night with a devastating first-round KO of Siam Warriors Eoin McCarthy. With two very different styles and approaches, this fight promises to provide fans with a hugely competitive title decider. Expect an electric atmosphere and lots heavy shots landed.

This will be one of the biggest K1 fights witnessed this year in Ireland. Two high level strikers with the capability of stopping fights at any moment. Naas Kickboxing head coach, Dawid Blaszke, is a four-time Irish champion and memorably stopped Damian Kusz in the first-round at Warrior FC 7 to reclaim the ISKA 78kg title in October last year. Since then, he’s travelled to the UK and stopped a top British opponent, Jake Barton, via TKO and spent time training in Thailand in preparation for this fight.

Brooks will be one of the toughest and most prestigious opponents that Blaszke has ever faced. With over 50 fights on his record, Brooks has won a selection of titles, including IKF, Irish and world belts. He is a former Enfusion title challenger and should offer Blaske his biggest test to date. This fight will not be expected to last the distance as both men go to war every time they fight.

5. Full Thai Rules International – 3×3 – Ireland V Poland

Colly Murphy (Langka) vs. Mateusz Duczmal (Bad Company)

Belfast’s Colly Murphy struggles to find opponents domestically which should indicate what sort of trajectory he is currently on. An Irish Muay Thai and K1 champion, Murphy, has been in exceptional form, climbing to number two in the UK rankings. He had been due to fight Mark Casserly of Champions Gym in a domestic superfight but Polish IFMA European gold medalist, Mateusz Duczmal, stepped up when Casserly withdrew through injury.

Duczmal, will join teammate Stephen Meleady on the card, both training out of the top class Bad Company gym in Leeds, UK. Both Murphy and Duczmal are considered technical fighters with dangerous striking so fans should be treated to three high-octane rounds of action. Murphy is the standout fighter amongst Ireland’s 80+kg divisions and will be aiming to make a big statement with victory over his international opponent.